Employers enrolled in the Policy Activity Rebate Program can sign up for activities and track their progress toward the required 11 credits. Private employers have until May 31, 2019, to complete their activities. Public employers have until Nov. 30, 2019.

Below are the options from which you will be able to choose.Note: All may not be immediately available.

General

Complete any online class on BWC's website

Employers may complete any online class offered through the BWC Learning Center for one credit. An employer can earn a maximum of two credits. A list of online classes may be found here.

Share an injured worker's (IW) success story with BWC communications

If you are an employer who has a great story to share regarding an injured worker's recovery and return to work, our communications department wants to hear from you. We'd like to work with you to possibly publish the story. Contact BWC communications department directly to see how we may possibly highlight the positive story. BWC communications will review all possible inquiries; two credits are only earned if BWC publishes the success story.

Claims

Bring an IW back to work on light/modified duty during the current policy year

Employers earn a credit by attending an IC hearing or a handicap reimbursement hearing for a claim issue related to their policy.

Employer creates a post injury packet to provide to injured workers

By working with their managed care organization (MCO), third-party administrator, and/or possibly BWC safety consultant, an employer can earn one credit by developing a post injury packet. The goal is to assist the injured worker with proper instructions, injury management contacts, treatment expectations, communication opportunities and potential return-to-work goals. Packets could include a First Report of Injury, employer accident report, MCO information, light duty, return to work, transitional work expectations and local treatment facilities.

Formally develop or show proof of a transitional work plan

Employers can earn a credit for developing a transitional work program when not prohibited by a labor agreement. Transitional work allows injured workers to return to work in a productive capacity during their recuperative period. Those in need of assistance with program development may opt to use BWC's transitional work grant. Employers who have an existing, developed transitional work program earn a credit as well.

Policy

Attend any training class in person through the Division of Safety & Hygiene.

BWC normally requires employers to complete their true-up within 45 days of the end of the policy year. Employers can earn one credit by completing, including payment, the true-up within the first 15 days. You must complete true-up and pay via BWC's website only.

Create/maintain an e-account, sign up for push notifications and update/maintain demographics once a year

We require the employer to create/maintain an e-account, maintain and update their demographics online and sign up for push notifications with BWC. The employer must join, update, and/or maintain all three to earn one credit.

Eligible employer has two or more employees enrolled in Better You, Better Ohio! wellness program

Employers with 150 workers or less in the following industries are eligible: Agriculture; automotive repair and service; construction; firefighters; health care; manufacturing; police and public safety; public employers; restaurant and food service; transportation and trucking; trash collection; wholesale and retail. Additional information can be found here.

Employer conducts drug/alcohol testing

Employers can earn one credit by conducting either pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, or random alcohol and drug testing. BWC strongly advises an employer to check with their legal counsel before performing any drug and alcohol testing.

Employer has a wellness program

Employers can earn one credit for offering (not included through the employer's insurance plan) and managing a workplace wellness program for their employees.

Employer pays all installments (online only) by the due date(s)

BWC encourages employers to pay premium installments timely to avoid potential lapses on their policy. An employer can earn one credit if they complete all installment payments online and timely by the due date(s) that may lead to other potential year-end rebates.

Participate in an online monthly webinar

Safety

Attend the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo

Employers can attend up to two days at the Ohio Safety Congress & Expo and earn a credit for each day. Attendance will satisfy credit requirements for Policy Activity Rebate (PAR) and/or Safety Council Rebate Program (SC) and/or Industry Specific Safety Program (ISSP).

Complete onsite consultations with DSH

Employers can earn two credits by using two onsite disciplines from DSH (an industrial safety consultant, ergonomist, hygienist) for consultation including but not limited to safety program assessments, work station evaluation or air/noise monitoring. You can view a summary of consultative services using this link: DSH consulting services. To request consulting services, use request consulting services service offering or contact your local service office.

Create an accident analysis/reporting policy

Employers can earn one credit by developing a comprehensive policy using the elements for an effective written accident analysis program to prevent and/or minimize the occurrence of future occupational accidents, injuries and illnesses.

Employers can earn one credit for attending an external training event (not provided by BWC) that incorporates safety training. Examples include but are not limited to attendance at a national industry conference (i.e. any association conference, National Safety Council Conference, National Workers' Compensation Conference), OSHA/MSHA training, National Driver Safety, CPR/AED/First aid, or other privately held safety training the employer has used. Employers who attend training through a third-party administrator (TPA) is acceptable. An employer can earn a maximum of two credits.

Employer creates a safety & health committee/team

Employers can earn one credit if they create a safety committee comprised of management and employee representatives whose responsibility is to handle problem solving and decision making for safety and health related issues and improvements in the workplace.

Employer sponsored safety lunch

Employers can earn one credit for providing a meaningful safety lunch as a tangible means to affirm and recognize employees for supporting and following prescribed safe work practices (i.e. lunch and learn)

Apart from using BWC's Safety Intervention Grant, an employer who sustains their loss prevention program efforts with purchases of safety equipment and/or personal protective equipment for all staff can earn one credit.

Submit online accident report for all claims during evaluation period

Employers with claims occurring during their participation year can earn one credit by completing the online accident report (DFSP-1) for those claims. DFSP-1 is generally used by employers participating in BWC's Drug Free Safety Program (DFSP). Accident reports help to identify the root causes of accidents and implement corrective measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Use of an external safety service for either Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requirements

Employer can earn one credit if an employer chooses to use a private safety consulting company for OSHA or MSHA safety training and program requirements.

Videos - Employers can earn a maximum of 4 credits from the videos below.

Ohio employers are not alone in managing their workers' compensation. From the safety and health of your employees to claims management strategies, BWC is here to help. In this video, you will learn about the many resources available at BWC to assist you in every aspect of workers’ compensation management.

Managed care organizations, or MCOs, are an important part of Ohio's workers' compensation system. They help manage the needs of an injured worker on behalf of the employer. This video will help employers understand the role MCOs play in ensuring positive outcomes for injured workers.

At BWC, we believe the best claim is one that never happens. Unfortunately, we all know workplace accidents do happen and when they do, the first 30 days after injury are pivotal to successful injury outcomes and future performance. In this video, we share some quick and easy tips to manage the first 30 days after a workplace accident occurs.